Vonn will miss Sochi Olympics

(SportsNetwork.com) - Lindsey Vonn will not compete at the 2014 Olympics in Sochi because of a knee injury.

Vonn posted the following message on Facebook:

"I am devastated to announce that I will not be able to compete in Sochi. I did everything I possibly could to somehow get strong enough to overcome having no ACL but the reality has sunk in that my knee is just too unstable to compete at this level. I'm having surgery soon so that I can be ready for the World Championships at home in Vail next February. On a positive note, this means there will be an additional spot so that one of my teammates can go for gold. Thank you all so much for all of the love and support. I will be cheering for all of the Olympians and especially team USA!"

The 29-year-old Vonn tore the ACL and MCL in her right knee last February during a crash at the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in Austria. The American re-injured her right knee straining it and partially tearing her right ACL after a crash during training in November.

She returned to competitive skiing in December but crashed during the World Cup downhill in Val d'Isere, France, on Dec. 21.

Vonn won the women's downhill at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and took bronze in the Super-G.

"In looking ahead, I have every ounce of confidence that Lindsey will be in the starting gate next World Cup season ready to compete," said Bill Marolt, the CEO and president of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association. "She knows the hard work it takes to get to the top and still has significant goals to achieve in what has been an incredible career.

"While Lindsey won't be in Sochi, we have a strong team that is well prepared to challenge. The women's speed team is experienced with five athletes who have achieved World Cup podiums and a seasoned veteran in Julia Mancuso who has won three Olympic medals in her career. Now is the time for those athletes to step up towards our Best in the World vision."